Applications for the 2018 Voter Education Fund are now open. King County Elections and Seattle Foundation are awarding $460,000 in grants to increase voter engagement in underserved communities.

Organizations encouraged to apply include, but are not limited to, those serving communities of color, limited-English speaking communities, people with disabilities, low-income youth, veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and people who have been convicted of a felony. 

This year the Voter Education Fund is placing a special emphasis on helping to ensure that citizens experiencing homelessness are able to vote and are aware that a traditional residential address is not required to register to vote in Washington State. 

The fund will also emphasize voter outreach efforts to people who have been convicted of a felony. Many times, citizens convicted of a felony are unaware that their voting rights are automatically restored once they’re no longer under Department of Corrections supervision. 

“Each year, thousands of reinstated voters are potentially left out of the democratic process because they don’t know their voting rights have been restored,” said Julie Wise, Director of King County Elections. “Voter education and outreach can help us dismantle this historic barrier to voting.” 

Community-based organizations can apply for up to $20,000 to develop an ongoing campaign to engage voters or potential voters, or up to $10,000 to provide a series of targeted events.

“Among our most fundamental rights and responsibilities as American citizens is to participate in our democracy by voting,” said Tony Mestres, President and CEO of Seattle Foundation. “Ensuring that people who experience barriers and hurdles to voting can have a voice in our political process is the first step in bringing everyone in the community to the table.”

The Voter Education Fund successfully launched last year, awarding $435,000 to 30 community-based organizations throughout King County. Grantees created voter engagement campaigns and hosted multiple events, including voter registration drives, ballot parties and widely-attended candidate forums. 

The application period for the 2018 Voter Education Fund is open from February 6 to March 5, 2018. Organizations interested in applying can download an application or apply online.

Information sessions will be held:

• Thursday, February 15, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Technology Access Foundation’s Bethaday Community Learning Space, 605 SW 108th St, Seattle, 98146 ;.

• Friday, February 23, from 10:30 a.m.-12pm at the Kent Centennial Building, First Floor Conference Room, 400 W. Gowe St, Kent, 98032 .

• Monday, February 26 from 3-4:30 p.m. at The 2100 Building, Community Room B, 2100 24th Ave S, Seattle, 98144

About Seattle Foundation

Seattle Foundation ignites powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all. Focused on creating equity and opportunity, our goal as a community foundation is to simplify giving and strengthen the impact of philanthropy for the more than 1,200 individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits we serve. We provide deep community insights, powerful civic leadership, effective philanthropic advising and judicious stewardship of assets in support of our mission. 

Relevant Links

• Voter Education Fund
• Seattle Foundation

Quotes

Each year, thousands of reinstated voters are potentially left out of the democratic process because they don’t know their voting rights have been restored. Voter education and outreach can help us dismantle this historic barrier to voting.

Among our most fundamental rights and responsibilities as American citizens is to participate in our democracy by voting. Ensuring that people who experience barriers and hurdles to voting can have a voice in our political process is the first step in bringing everyone in the community to the table.

Media contact

Kafia Hosh
206-477-4111
kafia.hosh@kingcounty.gov​

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